Faulkner Park

Faulkner Park will be getting an upgrade thanks to a donation from Bob Faulkner.

Parks and Recreation Director Russ Jackson said Faulkner made the donation in response to comments from the community.

The philanthropist is donating toddler swings, shades for the park and picnic tables, totaling $54,000.

The Tyler City Council gave the go-ahead for Parks and Recreation to accept the donation at its meeting Wednesday.

“The Faulkners have had such a commitment to the city and the parks,” Tyler Mayor Martin Heines said at the meeting. “We cannot appreciate him (Bob Faulkner) enough. Everyone knows he works hard for the parks and raising money for the parks.”

Jackson said he expects the park upgrades to be in place within 30 days, assuming the equipment is available to order right away and there are no weather delays for installation.

“We appreciate donations, it does help our parks,” Jackson said Tuesday, ahead of the board’s vote. “Some parks get more attention than other parks and people think we’re putting extra money into those, but in reality those parks are getting donations.”

Faulkner made the donation through a fund named for himself and his late wife, Beth Faulkner.

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